Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA) – West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah stated that the province’s economic growth stood at 4.36 percent in 2022, or increased by 1.07 percentage points from the figure recorded in 2021.”The economic condition in West Sumatra continues to experience an improvement. However, the figure is still below the national average (economic growth) of 5.31 percent,” he stated here on Saturday. The improvement occurred in line with the implementation of several Indonesian government policies for intensive and sustainable economic recovery that has driven growth in the national economy, including the economy in West Sumatra. In general, economic growth in all 19 districts and cities in the province improved in 2022 as compared to that in 2021. Padang Pariaman District is the region in the province that recorded the highest economic growth, at 6.87 percent. Meanwhile, Mentawai Islands District ranked second, with an economic growth of 4.94 percent, and followed by Bukittinggi City, with 4.64-percent economic growth. Meanwhile, Sijunjung District is the region with the lowest economic growth, at 3.95 percent. In general, the economic structure in West Sumatra is supported by several main business fields, such as agriculture, forestry and fishery, wholesale and retail trade, motorcycle and car repairs, as well as transportation and warehousing. “The jobs (in those business fields) give a contribution of 48.58 percent to West Sumatra’s economy,” the governor stated. The agriculture, forestry, and fishery sectors are the most significant contributors to the province’s economy, reaching 21.20 percent. However, he noted that the contribution in 2022 showed a decline as compared to 21.69 percent in 2021. Lastly, jobs in wholesale and retail trade as well as in motorcycle and car repairs contributed 16.50 percent to the province’s economy.

Source: Antara News Agency (ANA)